What gets you out of bed in the morning? It could be a sweet and nutritious orange! There are lots and lots of fruits and vegetables to choose from and all are good, smart choices for their flavor and nutrition. Yet, as the colder season of the year arrives, there may be no better choice than a fresh orange, mandarin, tangelo, tangerine or other orange-colored citrus fruit. 'Nutrition Resume' of an Orange, medium, approx 65 calories 1 grams protein 15 grams carbohydrate, including 17 grams sugars 0 fat 3 grams fiber 90 milligrams vitamin C 295 International Units … [Read more...] about An Orange a Day and Good Nutrition Tips for the Holidays
Mealtime Traditions Sprinkled with Good Nutrition
Most of us have meals or recipes that we consider traditions, but what we forget is that they don't have to be difficult and time consuming. The best sprinkled-with-good-nutrition traditions are ones that can be repeated and enjoyed. So, please keep it simple. Making time to cook isn't always easy so do your best to choose a tradition that's meaningful and also quick to fix. Will something below be your 'spark' to a delicious, new food tradition? I hope so. Quick-to-Fix Breakfast Traditions The morning meal is wide open for creative and satisfying nibbles. Here are a few new ideas … [Read more...] about Mealtime Traditions Sprinkled with Good Nutrition
Homemade Vegetable Broth in a Snap
In cooler seasons everyone wants soup, stews, and other comfort foods so one ingredient you'll need for sure is a tasty broth. In the true spirit of keeping it simple, let's go with a vegetarian broth since it will fit every recipe whether it's plant-based or a mixture of lean meat, chicken, and/or seafood. And, let's go with a homemade broth that isn't loaded with salt/sodium like so many broth products at the grocery store. When you make it yourself, you control how much salt goes in and letting the flavors of the vegetables and herbs shine is high priority. Cook it Low and … [Read more...] about Homemade Vegetable Broth in a Snap
A Tasty Little Marinade for Chicken, Steak, Seafood and Veggies
Since so many of us enjoy a dinner from the grill, here's an easy and tasty marinade recipe to love. I see two big advantages to having a go-to marinade recipe. The first is that marinating chicken or steak or fish or shrimp forces us to have a plan for dinner hours ahead of time - when marinating ideally begins. The second is that having a trusted recipe on hand erases the worry of how the final flavor will turn out -- it's always a big success. Here is a marinade that fits just about everything that's a protein food. For veggies, it works as a delicious brush-on-when-grilling … [Read more...] about A Tasty Little Marinade for Chicken, Steak, Seafood and Veggies
7 Ways to Enjoy Apples and Pears in Healthy Meals
Is there anything nicer about late summer and fall than new-season apples and pears? I don't think so. Most people know that an apple a day keeps the doctor away. But, did you know that a pear a day can do the same? Apples and pears share a nutritional benefit called fiber which is especially important to digestive health, nutrient absorption, and appetite control. In fact, if you eat a medium sized apple or pear, you'll consume 5-6 grams of fiber along with about 100 calories. Also, there are plant-based phytochemicals in apples and pears and research shows that they can protect us … [Read more...] about 7 Ways to Enjoy Apples and Pears in Healthy Meals
Simple Ingredients Make Great Flavors in Tomato and Basil Soup
If you think seriously about flavor, there are certain food pairs that work together in perfect harmony. For example, tomatoes and basil. There are many Mediterranean recipes that combine tomatoes with basil - and, almost always there's some extra virgin olive oil included, too. Here's an easy-to-make soup that works all year round, hot or cold. Out of fresh tomato season (fall, winter, spring,) use canned tomatoes for the best results and dried basil. In fresh tomato season (summer) get the best flavor by using both canned tomatoes and fresh ones, along with a big handful of fresh basil … [Read more...] about Simple Ingredients Make Great Flavors in Tomato and Basil Soup